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Science, policy and business forum

The UN Global Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment will take place in the lead-up to and during the third session of the UN Environment Assembly, under the banner “Science for Green Solutions”. Recommendations from the Forum will inform the Assembly, which opens on 4 December.

The UN Global Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment aims to identify and promote opportunities for green investment that are driven by advances in science and technology, empowering policies and innovative financing.

Driven by this goal, the forum will strengthen the interface between science, policy, business and society by tearing down traditional sectoral barriers and building consensus around key issues.

Rationale

Earth’s natural systems are under unprecedented stress. Mounting scientific evidence shows that over 60 per cent of ecosystems have been depleted. Natural resources consumption is expected to rise three to six fold by 2050, and the world’s population is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2030. The Anthropocene, a new epoch marked by humanity’s profound impact on the planet, is upon us.

To chart a greener and more sustainable path, the world needs to embrace new strategies, technologies, policies and actions.

Today’s technology and science-driven revolution — known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution — offers an unprecedented opportunity to embrace cleaner, greener and more efficient solutions to achieve sustainable development.

Trillions of dollars must be channeled away from earth-depleting ventures towards greener investment, more sustainable markets and a healthier planet.

To capitalize on this potential, UN Environment is catalysing a more dynamic interface between the science, policy and business sectors.

The UN Global Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment, organized by UN Environment and partners, is a framework designed to strengthen this interface and accelerate positive change towards a circular economy and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Forum

In the context of the Forum, UN Environment and partners will:

Organize issues-based consultations, round-tables, thematic conferences and in-depth negotiations between top scientists, policymakers and business leaders.

Showcase the positive impact of transformative green solutions implemented by non-state actors and take stock of the policies and investments required to scale up successful models.

Present the outcome of these consultations to the UN Environment Assembly to enhance decision-making and inform future vision.

2017 Cycle

The Forum will be organized as an annual event. The 2017 cycle will focus on pollution, the theme of the third UN Environment Assembly.

This cycle will kick off in China in October 2017, on the margins of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO) consultations, and culminate in December at the Environment Assembly in Nairobi.

Sessions at the 2017 UN Environment Assembly

High-Level Plenary and Concurrent Roundtables of the Science-Policy-Business Forum, 2-3 December 2017

Key Outcome: The Science-Policy-Business Communique will be presented to the Plenary Session of the UN Environment Assembly on 4 December 2017. The communique will also guide UN Environment’s Science Strategy.

Press conference to launch the Frontiers Report, 5 December 2017. The report describes key emerging issues and new environmental concerns, which if not addressed, may become major global problems of tomorrow.

Science for Green Solutions Leadership Dialogue, 5 December 2017. This will be an opportunity to discuss and debate with top scientists, CEOs and political leaders.

Other Forum Events in 2017

Science for Green Solutions Roundtables in the margins of GEO Consultations, 8-13 October 2017 Guangzhou, China